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I feel like I've been refused service at restaurants but can't be sure. Always when eating alone. One of the two times I waited a really good long while as others were served just to be sure what was happening. Then I just leave.

I'm a normal looking guy so I guess it just comes down to poor service and/or taking up table space

Why didn't you ask why?

Restaurants are a buyers market in Thailand.. one cultural thing I brought with me is I'm not giving somebody my money if they run a shity business. If I get shown a table at your restaurant and nobody comes to take my order I'm giving my money to someone else.

I am very curious to hear responses to this as it pertains to helping the woman after the incident.

Years ago in Chiang Mai I witnessed a woman crash on her motorbike at night. She was on the ground, dazed. My first instict was to run over and offer help, and standing over her, I realized I had no idea what to do. I offered my hand awkwardly and she didn't take it, just stood up, dazed, so I walked away as she got her bearings.

That incident motivated me to take an EMT-level first responders course. In the U.S. if you broke your leg, were having a heart attack or stroke, an allergy attack, whatever, I could provide help until professionals arrived.

I go back to that incident now being in Thailand and wonder what I could/should do. The language barrier would be difficult, especially in terms of two important things (identifying myself and obtaining permission to help). Add to that the bias against farang getting involved in anything. I know my legal protections in the U.S. (if I don't go above my training I cannot be liable for helping if I got permission), here in Thailand I have no idea. But my training tells me I have a moral obligation to help in all cases.

I feel like I've been refused service at restaurants but can't be sure. Always when eating alone. One of the two times I waited a really good long while as others were served just to be sure what was happening. Then I just leave.

I'm a normal looking guy so I guess it just comes down to poor service and/or taking up table space

I appreciate the advice guys you all raise some good points. In terms of the traveling/working question I am working but not in a way that should ever require me to need a suit (this isn't a 2 week vacation that turns into a job interview, I plan on being based out of SE Asia anyway).

As far as asking being a bad idea.. I can see how it can be a coin flip. I think my goal was just to diffuse any awkwardness if I walked in the door wearing casual clothes. And depending on the HR manager's role, and their interest, it may be more her role to manage the process between me and the head of the company rather than be critical of me (i.e. if I get hired she has done her job so she is happy to give me advice).

I'm going to go ahead and go business casual, collared shirt tucked in to slacks and shoes. I never see anyone wearing full suits here so I really doubt they are. If it ends up I'm underdressed I'll crack a joke about it at the interview

Thank NanLawue, I can justify $85.

Shaving.. you know I was introduced to the safety razor here, when I lived here a number of years ago, and ironically I brought one here but have not been able to find any razors for it. thai disposables are criminally pathetic

Thank you.. I appreciate the feedback but I apologize I should have asked a better question. Is this an especially big no-no with the Thai HR manager or not? I'm very familiar with interview processes and in my experience being honest about the situation would not be an issue, so my question is more related to Thai business culture being any different or not.

Simple, Do you want the job, if so you know yourself what the answer is......

Yes I am British but if you can't be bothered to dress for an interview why should they bother interviewing you?

If you told me in an interview that it cost you over $100 to arrive at the interview I'd think you're desperate. So I'd have to disagree.. if someone just happened to be in Bangkok and didn't have a suit with them I'd say 'Don't be silly, I understand let's just meet and talk for a bit and see if there is a fit'

Talk with the HR manager, tell her you would normally come in suit, tell her why you don't have any and kindly ask for advice

Why ask strangers in Thaivisa when you have a direct contact into the company who can also tell you how this british guy might react on your non-wearing suit????

Usually i'd do this but not familiar with Thai business culture, didn't know if this was some sort of huge no-no with the HR manager. Thanks

Actually I should just ask if it is any different here than elsewhere. If the answer is no, I am completely confident simply asking the question. Back home I would've done it instantly and it would have been fine

I'm more familiar than most with job interviews. In my experience if you're honest (I didn't expect to come across this opportunity when I packed, and don't have a suit..) would be the much better option that going out and buying one. It would not be surprising at all given my resume that I did not pack a suit.. I'm pretty obviously a professional who just happens to be in Bangkok

And I have no idea if I want the job. It's sales so you never know until you meet the people and see if they are any good at what they do. More often than not it is a complete waste of time and I expect doubly so in Bangkok

Thanks. It's a legit company so they'd get me the visa.

Really hard for me to justify $300 for a job interview, ugh.. especially the last couple I had before I came out here. Those ones I was pissed I wasted the time just driving out there. Where I'm from the guy would laugh it off and meet me for coffee wearing casual clothes himself.

I think the suit will get ruined otherwise because I'm living out of a backpack indefinitely. And I have enough nice business clothes back home.

But you're probably right

I sort of stumbled into a job interview but hadn't planned on staying/working here in Bangkok. As such I have very travel friendly clothes (causal pants, short sleave shirts, tennis shoes, etc.).

The way I see it I have a few options. One is to buy some cheap collared shirt/slacks combo on the street and find a cheap pair of shoes. Another is to spring for the full tailored suit, which will be somewhat useless to me the rest of my travels (I'd been vaguely thinking about picking up a TEFL gig someplace but probably not). Lastly I could just be honest and ask if I could show up in casual attire. The HR manager is Thai, she is my contact, but I will be meeting with the head of the company who is British. The company itself is probably full suits all around

Really tempted to go with the last option.. as for my interest in the job, I'm more just going to listen what they have to say. But I see a very high upside. At the same time I'm sure we've all been to interviews and had our time wasted.

Tips? thanks for reading